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H. J. MAHRENHOLZ.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY J. 'MAHRENHOLL OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BOOT-TO P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 275,678, dated April 10, 1883.

Application filed January 22, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY J. MAHRENf HOLZ, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boot- Tops, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improvement in detachable boot-tops, commonly called coachmans boot-tops;7 and it consists in the peculiar construction thereof, whereby the same is made cheaper, lighter,'impervious to grease or dirt, and at the same time rendered more durable.

, In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a boot provided with one of my tops; Fig. 2, an enlarged section of the top, and Figs. 3 and 4 detail sections on a still larger scale.

A represents the body or foundation of the top, which is made of any suitable water or grease proof material, but preferably of several thicknesses of cotton cloth, muslin, or similar material saturated :with shellac or a solution thereof similar to the way iu which hat-bodies are formed. On the outside of this is a covering, B, which may bevof leather, enameled cloth, or any suitable durable material, which should be turned over the edge and inside thereof at the top and bottom, as shown at b b. Inside the body there should be a lining, as shown at O, which may be of thin leather or any suitable material but this is not absolutely necessary. These various thicknesses may be secured togethe` in any suitable manner; but I prefer to unite them bysome Water or grease proof cement-such as a solution of shellac or rubber or other analogous gums or materials, but preferably the first named, as it helps to stiften the top. The body may be either formed in pieces sewed together, or it may be formed of one piece of material rolled into the form of a cylinder. As a further security against passage of grease, I propose to use an interlining, D, of tin or other foil, between the body and the covering or lining, in which case the saturation may be dispensed with, as thefoil will be sufficient protection against grease passing through to the outer covering. In some cases I propose to makethebodyof thin sheet metal, which may be corrugated, if preferred, to give it rigidity, and the corrugations may be filled in with some cement to give it smoothness. which cement may also be used as the means of uniting the outer covering and the inner lining.

Air inferior article may be made by using a paper body saturated with grease proof material, which would do good service if the material used therefor is of good rm sub stance; or what vis known as vulcanized liber may be used as the body, if preferred.

A boot-top of this construction will be found to cost but about one-fourth of those ordinarily made, and will at the saine time be found to be much lighter, stronger, and durable, as the water and grease proofbody will be found to stand wear much better than those made solely of leather in the usual manner, and will prevent grease or dirt from the boot passing through and showing on the outside,which quickly spoils 'all those made in the usual manner.

In making my boottop I prefer to use leather for the covering, because that is the kind of .material of which the ordinary solid tops are made; but, as before stated, cnam eled cloth or any othersimilar durable fabric may be used, and I should consider such an equivalent for the leather covering when used in combination with a stiened grease-proof body.

I am aware that rubber boots have been provided with cork or leather linings, and that such boots have been made of canvas'made water-proof, and therefore lay no claim to either of these features.

I am also aware that leather boots have been provided with a lining of soft woven material cemented to the leather, and that a boot has been provided with a sti top formed of a leather covering and a foundation of leather or other board; but, so far as I know,it is new IOO cring of lenthei` or similar fabric and a foun- In testimony whereof I ax my signature, dation of stit' grease-proof material, substnnin presence of two witnesses, this 20th day ot' tially as described. January, 1883.

2. A boot-top provided with a grease-proof HENRY J. MAHRENHOLZ. 5 body formed of several layers of woven fabric Witnesses:

sti'ened with shellac and having a suitable T. J. VT. ROBERTSON,

covering, substantially as described. WARREN C. STONE. 

